Page 38 of The Secret Love of a Gentleman (The Marlow Family Secrets #3)

Caro looked across the room the moment Penny said Rob’s name, stopping her conversation mid-sentence. When she looked back at Mary she could not remember what she had been saying, but Mary was looking at Rob anyway.

‘Excuse me, I wish to greet Rob.’ Mary got up from the sofa.

Caro rose too, pulled towards him. She crossed the room at Mary’s side, making it appear a natural thing to do.

Rob’s gaze turned away from his aunt and uncle.

He saw Mary first, then his gaze met Caro’s and he smiled broadly.

Her heart leapt as if it might break free from her chest as she returned his smile.

She thought of the things they said to one another in private the night before he left, the things they could not say in front of others.

All those words of love were in his eyes.

Mary hugged him and he pressed a brief kiss on her cheek. ‘I am pleased to see you,’ Mary said. ‘How are you? George is very excited to see you and you will not recognise Iris, she has grown so much.’

‘Where are they? ’

‘In the nursery. They were still tired, and grumpy, after our long journey.’

‘Caro.’ His attention turned to her and it looked as though his gaze soaked her up as she absorbed him too.

She longed to hug him and kiss his lips. Instead, she lifted her hand. He held it and bowed quite low as he pressed his lips against the back of her hand. The kiss was extremely gentle. She had forgotten how gentle his touch could be.

‘I am glad you made it here,’ he said, as he straightened, retaining hold of her hand. He looked at Mary. ‘She is impressive, is she not?’

‘Very,’ Mary said, looking at her. ‘Andrew and I are very proud of you, Caro.’

Rob’s thumb stroked her hand for a moment before he let go of her.

Love welled up. There was no doubt of her emotions, she could not feel as she did if it was not love. And as she did in the summer, she would not think of the future, only the present.

‘I could do with a cup of tea, Caro, would you pour me one?’ It was a ploy to separate them from the others as the tea urn stood on a table against the far wall. ‘And perhaps you would take me to the nursery afterwards, Mary, so I might see George.’

‘Or, better still, I will fetch him,’ Mary answered. ‘I am sure he will have had enough rest now.’

When Mary walked away, Rob caught hold of Caro’s elbow and gently turned her towards the urn. ‘Let us fetch that tea. How are you? I missed you,’ he said the last in a quieter voice.

She smiled as they walked. ‘I did not realise you had a devious streak, Robert Marlow. Perhaps you would take me to the nursery, indeed… you knew Mary would fetch him.’

‘I missed you too, Rob,’ he mocked. ‘I am very glad you called today. I wanted to see you. ’

Her smile broadened. If anyone was watching them, they would see there was something between them, but she did not think people were looking. ‘I have, I am, and I did, or rather, I do. Do you really want a cup of tea?’

‘Not particularly.’ He laughed gently. ‘But as we are now at the tea urn, you had better pour me one.’

She laughed and picked up a cup.

‘How are you anyway, truly? Mary told me you have made some friends.’

‘Yes, Isabella and Pauline. They are sisters.’ She added milk to his tea.

‘I still feel as I did,’ he said quietly when he took the cup from her hand.

‘I feel the same too.’

‘May I take you out for a drive one afternoon? I think it best to wait until next week, though. I would not want to draw attention to us by rushing into spending time together. Until then, I am afraid we must endure this crowd.’

She nodded. ‘A drive would be nice, and I can cope with this crowd if you are in it.’

His smile broadened. She longed to reach her arms around his neck and hold him. But mostly to feel him hold her.

‘Do you think anyone would notice if I stole you away,’ he said, his eyes glinting with what she assumed were identical thoughts to hers.

‘Mary is bringing George downstairs to see you.’

‘I should have insisted we went up.’ His gaze travelled over her shoulder, and he whispered through the edge of his mouth, ‘Your brother is behind you and approaching.’

‘Drew, how are you?’ Rob raised his voice as Drew joined them .

Drew’s arm settled about Caro’s shoulders, in gentle reassurance. ‘I did not think I would ever see Caro in town again.’

Rob smiled towards her. ‘Well, she is here.’

‘And I think it is with thanks to you,’ Drew acknowledged with a brief bow of his head.

‘Uncle Bobbie!’

Caro turned as Rob did, and Drew’s arm slid from her shoulders as the little scoundrel ran right across the room.

‘Tyke! You should not run when people have cups of tea in their hands. You are lucky you did not end up with tea on your head,’ Rob said in a reprimand that sounded too humorous to do the job of telling George off.

He bent, caught up George with a hold beneath his arms and lifted him to his hip.

‘Little rogue. Have you been good since I left?’

‘Ve-r-y good.’ The r was strongly pronounced.

‘And you have learned your “r”s.’

‘Yes, but I think you will always be Uncle Bobbie,’ Mary answered as she caught up with George.

‘Robbie, I hope you will not rush off.’ Kate joined them. ‘It is so rare that you call. Will you stay for dinner?’

Rob smiled. ‘Thank you, I would like to, yes.’

There was no further opportunity for private conversation with Rob. They were constantly in the company of his family.

Yet she was able to sit beside Rob for dinner.

The group thinned to John and Kate, and Mary and Drew, and as the others were couples it made sense to seat her beside Rob.

After dinner they took turns to provide entertainment at the pianoforte.

Drew turned Mary’s pages with an amused smile as she played and sang.

Then Rob suggested Caro play and he sang.

She harmonised her voice to Rob’s as they sat close together on the stool, and Rob flipped the music sheets over.

John and Katherine outshone them all, though.

John had a powerful, pitch-perfect voice.

It was eleven of the clock, when Rob stood. ‘I suppose I should leave.’

Everyone stood. He kissed Mary’s cheek and Kate’s, shook John’s and Drew’s hands, then turned to Caro. She was not a true member of his family, it would look odd if he kissed her cheek. Instead, he bowed over her hand and pressed a kiss on to the back of her fingers. ‘Goodnight, Caro.’

‘Goodnight, Rob.’

When he released her hand, he looked at Mary.

‘Where will you be tomorrow evening? Are you going out?’

‘Kate and I are attending a parliamentary dinner,’ John answered even though Rob had not put the question to him. ‘Business, I am afraid.’

‘We are dining with Lord Brooke and his wife,’ Mary answered.

‘We thought it an opportunity for Caro to test her wings,’ Drew added. ‘As she has known Brooke from childhood.’

She would be the awkward odd peg with couples, though, but Rob could hardly invite himself along.

His smile expressed his understanding, saying, I wish I could join you .

‘Perhaps I will see you the night after, then,’ Rob concluded.

‘That is the night of Lady Pickford’s ball,’ Kate answered. ‘If you can acquire an invitation you are welcome to come in the carriage with us.’

‘I am sure I can wheedle myself an invite,’ Rob answered .

At least, then, he would be with Caro when she attended her first society event.

‘Well, I will be off. Goodnight, all.’ He bowed, then nodded slightly at Caro, smiling, before departing.